DELAWARE GAZETTE OBITUARY - MAY 12, 2009  Opal L. McAlister, 104, a longtime resident of The Gables at Green Pastures and formerly of Ostrander, died Sunday (May 10, 2009) at The Gables at Green Pastures.

She was born Nov. 16, 1904 in Marysville to the late Conrad and Amy Patch Dunn and grew up in the Raymond‑Broadway area. She resided with Dr. Angus and Gladys MacIvor during her senior year of high school and could vividly recall the day that their son, Dr. Malcolm MacIvor, was born. She married Daniel D. McAlister in 1930, and he preceded her in death in 1969.

A dedicated educator and pioneer in her field, Opal was a school teacher for 52 years. She began her career in Union County by teaching fifth and sixth grades at Watkins Public School from 1923-1926 and also served as the head coach of the Watkins varsity boys basketball team. From 1927-1942 she taught in the town of Flint, which is now part of Columbus. In December of 1942, Opal decided to make a contribution to the efforts of our nation during World War II and entered the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated as a second lieutenant in 1943 and served at Fort Oglethorpe until 1945, where she was in charge of the training division and instructed the other WAAC’s in baking, military law, current events and other subjects. She earned the rank of captain and completed her enlistment in 1946 at the St. Louis Ordnance Depot.

Upon her discharge from the service in 1946, Opal accepted a position teaching seventh and eighth grades at Ostrander School. Within two years she took on the additional role of assistant principal and in 1964 she became the first female principal of Ostrander Elementary School. She retired in 1967 to care for her ailing husband and then returned in 1970 to continue teaching until her final retirement in 1975.

She was a 1922 graduate of Marysville High School and a 1928 graduate of Kent State University where she received her lifetime teaching certificate. She was a life member of the Ohio Education Association and the Ohio Retired Teachers; and was a member of the Delaware County Retired Teachers Association, National Retired Teachers Association, Ostrander Business Association, Marysville YMCA, American Legion Post 79 and Ostrander Presbyterian Church. Opal was one of the most beloved and respected members of this community. She was recognized in 2005 with the Union County Chamber of Commerce’s “Salute to Leaders” award and the Marysville Elks Lodge named her “Citizen of the Century” in 2004 and again recognized her as a “Great American Citizen” in 2008. An inductee in the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Hall of Fame, Opal was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame on Nov. 8, 2007, and was honored to deliver the keynote address for the dedication ceremony of the Union County Veterans Memorial in 2007. More than anything, Opal loved her Buckeyes and enjoyed one of her life’s greatest experiences by attending a closed Buckeye football practice to celebrate her 103rd birthday and meeting coach Jim Tressel, Beanie Wells and so many other players. Survivors include one nephew, Larry Dunn of Marysville; one niece, Shirley Olmsted Hadley of Indiana; three cousins, George Patch of Texas, Val Veit of South Carolina, Alice (Lee) Schacherbaurer of Marysville; and many dear friends.

In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Lewis Dunn; and an infant sister, Maryanna.

Friends may call from 5 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Mannasmith Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. John M. Groat officiating. Burial with full military honors conducted by the Union County Honor Guard will take place at Oakdale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Conklin, Russell Conklin, Richard Bauder, Jeff Hagans, Scott Jones and Joe Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Conklin and Roy Young.

Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane, Marysville, OH 43040.

Condolences may be expressed at mannasmithfuneralhome.com.